No formal sightings of Rui Li since late on Friday night as daughter pleads: "Please just let us know you are ok"

MISSING Rui Li was last seen by her daughter before disappearing overnight.

Teenager Lu Yao saw her mother late on the evening of Friday, May 23, but the 44-year-old nurse has not been seen since.

Concerned police launched a murder investigation just hours after Ms Li was reported missing on Tuesday morning based on “information received”.

However, there have been no sightings of her since that night.

Officers investigating her disappearance called a press conference at Poole Police Station to appeal for more information.

They are particularly interested in finding out more about a Ford Transit Connect van, registration HD53 FCG, believed to have been travelling to the Watford area on the morning of Saturday, May 24.

Detective Superintendant Kevin Connolly said Ms Li was seen leaving Poole Hospital at 6.15pm on Friday, and then again at her home address of Burnham Drive in Bournemouth by her daughter.

“There have been absolutely no sightings or contact with Rui Li since that time,” he said.

“Rui Li is a nurse, and is very reliable with excellent timekeeping. She has never disappeared before. Her disappearance is completely out of character.”

He added: “Since that moment, we have not heard from her, nobody has spoken to her, she has not phoned anyone, she has not had any contact with work colleagues - she has basically disappeared completely.”

A statement from Lu Yao was read aloud at the conference.

It reads: “The last time I saw my mum, she looked happy and was smiling - talking about my studies.

“My mum is a very conscientious and caring nurse and never lets anyone down. She is a very loving mum, supporting me with my studies from when I came to the UK from China.

“She prides herself on her timekeeping and my mum has never gone missing before.”

She added: “Mum, if you're safe and just want to get away please just let us know you are ok.

“If anyone knows where my mum is, please tell the police.”

Can you help the police to find Rui Li?

Det Supt Connolly said he is appealing for anyone with information to contact police.

Officers are particularly looking for:

· Anyone who knows Ms Li and has any information about her whereabouts, or who has seen her, since she left work at Poole Hospital on Friday evening

· Anyone who lives in the area of the addresses currently being investigated by police and who noticed anything suspicious, particularly in the early hours of Saturday morning

· Anyone with information about the Ford Transit Connect van

· Anyone living or working in the area of the addresses being investigated who may have seen any unattended vehicles parked outside their home or business